April date looms for WSMR furloughs to begin

By Steve Ramirez / sramirez@lcsun-news.com

Posted:
03/15/2013 01:59:31 PM MDT

White Sands Missile Range website. A chart provided to White Sands Missile Range employees outlining the time line for implementation of sequestration furloughs.
LAS CRUCES - The first of what White Sands Missile Range officials anticipate will be several town hall meetings outlined the proposed time line for implementing furloughs for more than 6,500 employees, both civilian and government contract workers.

The meeting was Wednesday at WSMR, and was open only to employees who work there. WSMR officials said the meeting was private because they wanted workers to be able to express their concerns and feelings without being intimidated by media presence.

"This is a very dynamic process, still," said Brig. Gen. Gwen Bingham, WSMR commander, to employees. "As we know more, we will make sure we get the word out to you.

" I thank each and every one of you for your service and your selflessness, and for your understanding of these times. Thank you for stepping up to the plate. We won't be able to get out of this without each other. I wish I had all the answers for you but we will keep you well aware as we learn more."
Bingham's comments were provided to the Sun-News through Monte Marlin, WSMR spokeswoman.

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Because Congress couldn't come to an agreement on a federal budget agreement by Feb. 28, a sequestration on federal government spending went into effect. That means that virtually all of the estimated 6,500 civilian and government-contractor employees at WSMR will be placed on as much as 22 days of furloughs. Bingham presented a chart to employees that showed the furloughs are expected to begin April 26 and continue through Sept. 21.

"I will do everything within my authority to protect the people of our team," said Bingham, to employees. "My priorities are: one, the people (at WSMR); two, matters of life, health and safety and mission readiness. And, when I say mission readiness, we have a multitude of missions here - Army, Navy, Air Force - I mean that holistically.

" I have a board here and we will chart those questions we cannot answer, get answers and get it online. Final decisions have not been made yet, but we are making ready. We will make you (employees) aware in as advance as possible of any decisions."

Bingham added once a final decision on furloughs is made, all employees will be given 30 days notice.

"Sequestration and furlough is certainly not a good thing," Bingham said. "It is not something that I am happy about. We hope leaders at the national level come to some resolution to the notion of furlough. But, because of the fiscal challenge, it is what is."

Bingham was asked why April 26 was chosen as the date to begin furloughs. She said so the maximum of 22 discontinuous days of furloughs could be completed by the end of the federal government's fiscal year, on Sept. 30, the April 26 date was chosen.

Bingham was also asked about furlough exemptions. She said Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) surety guards would be exempt because they provide security services at WSMR.

Bingham also told employees they would have a seven-day period to formally provide reasons, such as hardship, why they shouldn't be furloughed.

The status of government contractor employees would also depend on the terms of existing contracts for the services those employees provide.

"We will have to look at this contract by contract. We will be getting more guidance in coming weeks," Bingham said.

There were also questions about how a furlough could affect annual and sick leave. The employees were told if the furlough were to last 10 days, or 80 hours - based on an eight-hour work day - they would lose one pay period of leave.

The employees were also told the furlough would not affect their health and life insurance benefits.

Marlin noted there was a light moment when an unnamed employee noted, "There is a bright spot, we pay less taxes."

"This is something that is obviously very hard on a lot of employees," Marlin said. "There is a lot of uncertainty, and we're going to have to rely on each other to see ourselves through all of this."

Steve Ramirez can be reached at 575-541-5452. Follow him on Twitter @SteveRamirez6

Furloughs

A town hall meeting for White Sands Missile Range employees was conducted Wednesday.

The meeting was to brief employees about the congressionally mandated sequestration and the employee furloughs that will be implemented.

From March 22 -26 it's anticipated that letters informing employees of furloughs will be issued.

From March 29-April 2 WSMR employees will have seven days to respond to the letters.

Furloughs are expected to begin April 26 and continue through Sept. 21.

The furloughs could be for as long as 22 days scattered between April 26 and Sept. 21.